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Boon’s Calibre Travel 2026
The Splendours of Northumberland & the Scottish Borders Departs Thursday 17th September 2026, 5 days, half-board
This exciting 5-day tour not only explores the splendours of Northumberland, but also ventures into the beautiful Scottish Borders to visit Floors Castle, one of Scotland’s most outstanding stately homes, and the country’s largest inhabited castle. Other highlights of our three carefully planned excursions include: Amble, a coastal town that prides itself on being the ‘friendliest port in England’; Woodhorn, a mining museum, celebrating Northumberland’s proud mining history; captivating Bamburgh, the royal capital of the ancient kingdom of Northumbria; and the magical Holy Island of Lindisfarne, with its striking sea views across to the Farne Islands. There will also be the opportunity to explore the historic cities of Lincoln and York, as well as a brief stop at Gormley’s iconic “Angel of the North”.
Our hotel is the 4* Holiday Inn Gosforth Park, set in 16 acres of grounds, at Seaton Burn, just north of Newcastle. Each stylish bedroom boasts en-suite bathroom and is fully equipped with all the usual facilities. Accommodation is arranged over two floors (there is a lift), with many ground floor rooms and two bedrooms adapted for the disabled. Meals may be taken in the chic Blagdon Brasserie and a relaxing drink in the Mercury bar. There is a leisure centre with indoor swimming pool.
Day 1: On leaving our local boarding points, we head north, with a lunchtime visit to the historic city of Lincoln, with its magnificent cathedral, ancient castle and medieval Bishops Palace. On leaving Lincoln, we continue our journey to Seaton Burn, where we arrive at our hotel in good time for dinner.
Day 2: After breakfast today, we travel through the colourful fishing village of Seahouses, and along the coast to captivating Bamburgh, the royal capital of the ancient kingdom of Northumbria. The village, dominated by the awe-inspiring Bamburgh Castle, dramatic on its rocky plateau, is famous as the former home of Victorian Britain’s greatest heroine, Grace Darling, and the RNLI have a museum dedicated to her story. Ample time to explore, take refreshment in one of the cafes, and to admire the stunning views of the Farne Islands, before we visit the magical Holy Island of Lindisfarne, a pint-sized settlement that becomes completely separated from the rest of the world twice a day at high tide. As we cross the causeway, admiring the amazing seascapes as we go, it feels as though we are entering a secret world. The 12th century Lindisfarne Priory, the epicentre of Christianity in Anglo Saxon times and once the home of St Oswald, and Lindisfarne Castle, perched on a rocky plateau overlooking the island, with it fabulous architecture and striking sea views, are the main attractions, however, there is an exciting array of wildlife to spot and plenty of places to eat and drink. After a lovely day, we return to our hotel for dinner.
Day 3: Today’s wonderful circular tour takes us across the Scottish Border, to Floors Castle, Scotland’s largest inhabited castle, and home to the 11th Duke of Roxburghe. On leaving our hotel, we travel through the glorious Northumberland National Park, via the historic town of Jeburgh, with its magnificent Abbey, to the outskirts of the market town of Kelso, where we find the Roxburghe Estate, with Floors Castle, one of Scotland’s most outstanding stately homes, at its heart. Built by architect William Adam in 1721, the castle, an architectural masterpiece inside and out, houses a marvellous collection of fine art and porcelain, and the delightful gardens boast fine herbaceous borders, fruit trees and meandering paths. The Walled Garden is a showpiece of seasonal colour and interest, and the formal Millennium Garden, features a French-style parterre and a charming summer house, known as “Queen’s House” after Queen Victoria visited for tea here in 1867.
Day 4: Following breakfast, we make our way to Woodhorn, a popular visitor attraction, located in what was once the largest pit village in the world. In 1981, Woodhorn Colliery closed, and in 1989, it reopened as a mining museum, celebrating Northumberland’s proud mining history. The site comprises historic colliery buildings, plus a new visitor centre, “The Cutter “, which houses permanent displays, exhibitions, a café and a shop. This afternoon we head to the port of Amble, a coastal town that prides itself on being the ‘friendliest port in England’, where we have time to explore the award-winning marina, with the wooden retail pods of Amble Harbour Village, selling everything from cheese to charm bracelets, to visit the Northumberland Seafood Centre, with their lobster hatchery and visitor centre, and to head into the small town centre, crammed full with traditional shops and cafés.
Day 5: After another hearty breakfast, we head for home. Our visit today is to the fascinating, walled city of York, renowned for its exquisite architecture, tangle of quaint cobbled streets, including the famous Shambles, and the iconic York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. Ample time to explore this wonderful city, before we complete our journey back to Essex, with comfort stops en-route.
Includes: 4 nights half-board (dinner, bed & breakfast) in en-suite bedrooms, ground floor rooms, lift, leisure facilities. 3 excursions & visits to places of interest en-route. Entry to Floors Castle. Entry to Woodhorn Museum.
Cost per person sharing a Double or Twin Room: £729 Supplement for Single Occupancy of a Double/Twin room: £96 (8 max)
Deposit: £65 per person. Balance due 8 weeks prior to departure.
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